Pro leagues make case to stop NJ sports betting

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- The four major pro sports leagues and the NCAA have filed legal papers calling New Jersey's effort to allow sports gambling an "unlawful scheme" and a "blatant violation" of federal law.

The leagues sued Gov. Chris Christie in August after he announced plans to allow gambling on pro and college games at casinos and racetracks. New Jersey's legislature passed a sports betting law earlier in the year.

The state has sought to have the lawsuit thrown out, and the motion filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Trenton was a response to that.

In the brief, the leagues reject New Jersey's argument that a 1992 federal law restricting sports gambling to a handful of states is unconstitutional.

The NCAA has already pulled some events from New Jersey over the dispute.